Joseph Kent Durning

Joseph Durning

I am sorry that our conversation resulted in a misunderstanding. I am ethically bound not to comment publicly with any detail on confidential communications with a prospective client, so I cannot comment on any of the specifics of your review other than to say that I would describe our conversation differently than you have. To the extent I have caused this misunderstanding, I apologize. Speaking in general terms, every time I speak to a prospective client, before they make a decision on whether to hire me, I explain my normal fee arrangements, the potential costs of litigation from start to finish, the potential cost in a "best case" and a "worst case" scenario, and the other fee arrangements that might be available with other attorneys in the area (including contingency fee agreements)—even if that might mean that a prospective client decides to hire another lawyer rather than hiring me. I do this because I have heard too many complaints from people that lawyers will tell a prospective client whatever it takes to get some money in the door without giving the prospective client enough information about the possible full cost of obtaining a favorable result. I believe prospective clients deserve to know their options, including my assessment of the economics of a case and the fact that there might be other lawyers in the area who would work on different fee arrangements, so that a prospective client can make an informed decision before hiring a lawyer or paying any money. I have gone through this same explanation with countless prospective clients over more than a decade of practicing law, and before yesterday I have never had a person misinterpret that conversation in the manner you described above and hang up on me without giving me the chance to clear up any misunderstanding. Ordinarily prospective clients appreciate my honesty and would appreciate the fact that I have spent close to an hour of my time speaking with them about their case at no charge, with no promise or expectation of payment. If you would like to talk further and give me the opportunity to clear up this misunderstanding, I would be happy to do so. If not, I wish you the best of luck in finding the right attorney for you.